If they’re lost it’s a security issue, but there are many ways in which a USB stick can help you to improve your digital security.

While they’re small enough to be stolen, USB flash sticks are also compact enough to let you take your vital data with you everywhere you go. Add some encryption, and you can be reassured that the contents will remain secret.

But is this the only way a USB stick can improve your data security and privacy? We’ve got five ways you should reconsider the way you use your USB flash drives, and make your digital life more secure.

1. Use an Encrypted Partition

The vast majority of people store data on their USB sticks without consider encryption. Even on devices that ship with an encrypted partition, inputting a password to use the encryption is considered inconvenient.

You don’t need me to tell you that this is irresponsible. It would be far better to use the encrypted partition, and keep your vital data — be it personal or professional — safe.

You might even prefer to buy a USB stick with encryption software built in.

2. Carry a USB PC in Your Pocket

Another option is to make sure you have the ability to access your data immediately and securely whenever you encounter a PC. Forget about the risks of keyloggers in cybercafés and libraries — instead, install an operating system on your USB flash drive, and run that. You’ll need to check with the owners, of course, but this is an option in many places.

The benefits of this approach are clear. Your own PC, the very definition of ultra-portable, in your pocket. While this might not offer optimum productivity — you’ll be stuck without the actual hardware — if you’re on holiday and visiting cybercafes or using a borrowed machine, it can improve your security and privacy considerably.

3. Ship Sensitive Data

Another way a USB stick can improve security is in the shipping of data. Sure, sharing via cloud storage, email, or instant messaging are convenient, but using a courier or postal service is arguably more secure.

That is, if they don’t know anything about the device.

Image Credit: RomanR via Shutterstock

To get around this, you might secrete the USB flash stick inside something else. Perhaps you’re sending a book: the stick might be hidden in the spine, or even in a hole created by cutting an appropriate shape in several pages. It might be taped into an object of furniture.

The important thing is that the recipient knows where the USB flash stick is hidden, and can find it. Once this is done, the data has been successfully sent.

It needn’t be sensitive documents, either. Assuming you’re using encryption on the device, you might need to ship video footage or audio. Perhaps the recipient doesn’t have internet access — shipping data on a USB stick via a courier would seem to be the obvious choice, and given the size of such a device should be relatively cheap. Unless you tape it to the back of a wardrobe, or something!

4. Carry a Regular Backup

Whether you make backups onto a time machine-style external hard disk drive or prefer to rely on cloud syncing, it’s a good idea to have a regular backup of your recent vital documents. What better device to store this on than on a USB flash stick?

Naturally, you’ll need to ensure that the drive capacity can store the volume of data you wish to backup. Also, you should consider the security and importance of the data. Does it need to be encrypted? If so, revisit the section above on encrypted partitions, as this will make all the difference should your USB stick be lost. You don’t want unauthorized people viewing your data, do you?

Note that this method has its downsides. Lose the key, and you won’t be able to gain access to the computer. Similarly, should the key become corrupt for whatever reason (typically caused by extreme temperatures or a sudden impact) then you’ll be also be locked out. Making some backups is a good idea!

That’s five ways a USB stick can be used to improve your digital security. Do you know of other methods? Tell us in the comments.

Christian Cawley is MakeUseOf's security and Linux editor, with extensive experience in IT desktop and software support. Christian is a regular contributor to print publications such as Linux User & Developer, as well as a number of specials: Raspberry Pi for Beginners, Expert Android, The iPad Book Vol 6, WordPress…